Music 1 - Music for Small Ensembles Task 1b - Composition
How to approach your composition:
1. Give your composition a title and write your name as the composer.
2. Select the instruments you wish to compose for.
3. Select the key area you wish to work with - major or minor?
4. Create a theme, which will become the main melody and basis of your composition. DO NOT leave this step until you are happy with your melody. Trial and error is key. Compose and play it back constantly. Use notes of the main scale of the key you chose. Make sure your melody has a smooth contour.
Eg, If you selected C Major to be your key area at the start, use the notes of the C Major scale in your theme/main melody. These are the notes:
C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C - always start your first note of the composition on this note.
Mix around the order of notes and use a variety of rhythms. Remember, trial and error is the key.
5. Consider a musical conversation between the main melody you have composed and another instrument/part. Construct this conversation in the form of a call and response.
6. Complete the notes of any other melodies you wish to compose for by composing a counter melody, a melody in unison or filling in parts with the scale. Ensure your notes do not clash as you play them back. Notes which are a 2nd apart will often sound dissonant.
7. Create a harmony throughout your compsoition. This can be a 3rd, 4th or 5th away from the main meldoy and should follow the melody line in order to harmonize and compliment the main meldoy.
8. Create your accompaniment. This should consist of chords that include the notes you used most in that particular bar OR you can plot your chords out first.
These steps should help you create the back bone of your composition. After this, you can add various parts, notation or make changes based on what you and play back..
GOOD LUCK. Email me if you get stuck on t.benjamin through the school server.
Daily Process Questions. These are only ideas/prompts to help you...
Today I achieved...
I found the following difficult
I achieved the following
Today I composed the main melody/accompaniment/harmony, which...
I encountered thr following issues...
Here is a copy of what i composed today (paste into process diary)
Concept Analysis
Discuss how you composed your work using the 6 concepts of music in your composition. You can use the questions below (which were listed to guide you with your powerpoint).
Music 1
Music for Small Ensembles Powerpoint
Below is a list of concept questions to help you with the concept section of your powerpoint.
Use these questions to guide you as you listen to your songs.
You also need to refer to your concept vocab sheet as this lists all terminology!
You must elaborate as much as possible. Avoid listing short answers. Confused? Read the marking criteria!!
PITCH
What is the tonality of this piece? (major/minor/blues/pentatonic/atonal)
In what register is each instrument generally playing?
Is the melody narrow or wide?
What is the contour of the melody?
Name the instrument that plays the main melody/theme/riff (vocals are an instrument)
Does your piece incorporate a harmony?
Does your piece use dissonance?
DURATION
What is the time signature of this piece? What does this mean?
What is the tempo of your song? Use Italian terminology such as lento, moderato, presto
Is there an ostinato pattern? If so, which instrument plays this?
Can you notate a rhythm?
Is syncopation used? If so, by which instrument?
Does your song have an anacrusis? If so, explain this function.
Does your piece use polyrhythms? Counterhythms? Explain.
TEXTURE
What are the various textures used in your song? (polyphonic/monophonic/homophonic) Show where using a musical example.
Does your song use a call and response? Between which instruments?
Is repetition used in your song? If so, where and by which instrument/s?
Do any instruments play in unison? (same thing, same time)
Is imitation used?
TONE COLOUR
List the instruments used in your song
Are these instruments acoustic and/or amplified? Label each instrument.
What family does each instrument come from? (aerophone, electrophone etc…)
List 10 adjectives that describe your song.
Is technology used in your song? If so how? Name the technology.
DYNAMICS & EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES
What volumes are used in your song? E.g. p, mp, mf, f, ff etc…
Does the volume change? If so, when?
List expressive techniques used by each instrument. (eg, guitar is strummed)
STRUCTURE
What is the structure of your song? Name each section (intro/verse/chorus etc).
Count the bars in each section. Eg, 4 bar intro, 16 bar verse etc..
ENTER MUSICAL EXAMPLES INTO YOUR POWERPOINT TO SUPPORT YOUR STATEMENTS
BE SURE TO USE 2 CONTRASTING SONGS AND SHOW THE COMPARISON IN YOUR PRESENTATION.
Music 1 - Music for Small Ensembles Task 1b - Composition
How to approach your composition:
1. Give your composition a title and write your name as the composer.
2. Select the instruments you wish to compose for.
3. Select the key area you wish to work with - major or minor?
4. Create a theme, which will become the main melody and basis of your composition. DO NOT leave this step until you are happy with your melody. Trial and error is key. Compose and play it back constantly. Use notes of the main scale of the key you chose. Make sure your melody has a smooth contour.
Eg, If you selected C Major to be your key area at the start, use the notes of the C Major scale in your theme/main melody. These are the notes:
C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C - always start your first note of the composition on this note.
Mix around the order of notes and use a variety of rhythms. Remember, trial and error is the key.
5. Consider a musical conversation between the main melody you have composed and another instrument/part. Construct this conversation in the form of a call and response.
6. Complete the notes of any other melodies you wish to compose for by composing a counter melody, a melody in unison or filling in parts with the scale. Ensure your notes do not clash as you play them back. Notes which are a 2nd apart will often sound dissonant.
7. Create a harmony throughout your compsoition. This can be a 3rd, 4th or 5th away from the main meldoy and should follow the melody line in order to harmonize and compliment the main meldoy.
8. Create your accompaniment. This should consist of chords that include the notes you used most in that particular bar OR you can plot your chords out first.
These steps should help you create the back bone of your composition. After this, you can add various parts, notation or make changes based on what you and play back..
GOOD LUCK. Email me if you get stuck on t.benjamin through the school server.
Daily Process Questions. These are only ideas/prompts to help you...
Concept Analysis
Discuss how you composed your work using the 6 concepts of music in your composition. You can use the questions below (which were listed to guide you with your powerpoint).
Music 1
Music for Small Ensembles Powerpoint
Below is a list of concept questions to help you with the concept section of your powerpoint.
Use these questions to guide you as you listen to your songs.
You also need to refer to your concept vocab sheet as this lists all terminology!
You must elaborate as much as possible. Avoid listing short answers. Confused? Read the marking criteria!!
PITCH
DURATION
TEXTURE
TONE COLOUR
DYNAMICS & EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES
STRUCTURE
ENTER MUSICAL EXAMPLES INTO YOUR POWERPOINT TO SUPPORT YOUR STATEMENTSBE SURE TO USE 2 CONTRASTING SONGS AND SHOW THE COMPARISON IN YOUR PRESENTATION.